A letter to Municipal Commissioner about the dirt and filth lying around lying around your colony

 

NCERT English Class 10th – Footprints Without Feet Detailed Summary

Footprints Without Feet is a science-fiction story written by H. G. Wells. The story is about a brilliant scientist named Griffin who discovers how to become invisible. However, instead of using his knowledge for good purposes, he misuses it and becomes a criminal. The story teaches that intelligence without morality can be dangerous.

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Detailed Summary

Griffin Discovers Invisibility

Griffin was a talented scientist who studied rare chemicals and scientific experiments. After many experiments, he discovered a formula that could make the human body invisible. He successfully tested the formula on himself and became invisible.

At first, Griffin was excited about his discovery because nobody could see him. However, invisibility also brought many problems. Since people could not see him, he had no clothes, no shelter, and no food. He could not live normally in society.

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Griffin Sets Fire to His Landlord’s House

Griffin had no money to pay rent, and his landlord wanted to remove him from the house. In anger, Griffin set fire to the house before leaving it. To escape safely, he removed his clothes and became invisible.

Although he escaped, the fire created chaos and fear. This incident showed Griffin’s cruel and selfish nature.

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Griffin Steals Food and Clothes in London

After reaching London, Griffin faced difficulties because winter was approaching. Since he was invisible, he could not wear clothes openly without revealing himself.

Hungry and cold, Griffin entered a big store at night. He ate food from the kitchen, drank coffee, and slept there peacefully. In the morning, shopkeepers arrived before he could leave. To escape, Griffin removed the clothes he had stolen and became invisible again.

Later, he entered a theatrical shop and stole clothes, bandages, shoes, dark glasses, and a fake nose. He dressed himself completely so that people would think he was a normal man.

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Griffin Reaches Iping Village

To hide from people, Griffin traveled to a small village called Iping. There he stayed at an inn named the Coach and Horses. The villagers found him strange because his face was always covered with bandages, dark glasses, and a hat.

Griffin rarely spoke to anyone and spent most of his time in his room doing experiments. Soon, people in the village became suspicious of him.

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The Theft at the Clergyman’s House

One day, money was stolen from the house of a clergyman and his wife. The strange thing was that nobody could see the thief. Furniture moved on its own, and coins disappeared mysteriously. Actually, Griffin was the thief because he had removed his disguise and become invisible again.

The incident frightened the villagers, who believed that some ghost or spirit was responsible.

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Griffin Escapes from the Inn

The innkeeper wanted Griffin to pay his bills. Griffin had no money, so he became angry. When a policeman came to arrest him, Griffin removed his bandages, glasses, and clothes one by one. Slowly, his body disappeared completely.

Everyone in the room became terrified because they could not see Griffin. Taking advantage of the confusion, Griffin escaped easily.

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Character Sketch of Griffin

Intelligent but Evil

Griffin was highly intelligent and hardworking. His discovery of invisibility showed his scientific talent.

Selfish and Lawless

Instead of helping society, Griffin used his discovery for stealing, frightening people, and taking revenge.

Short-Tempered

He quickly became angry whenever things did not go according to his wishes.

Criminal Mind

He committed theft, robbery, and even arson without feeling guilty.

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Themes of the Story

Misuse of Science

The story shows that scientific discoveries can become dangerous when used irresponsibly.

Power Without Morality

Griffin had great power, but he lacked kindness and ethics.

Isolation

Because of invisibility, Griffin became lonely and disconnected from society.

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Moral of the Story

The story teaches that:

• Science should be used for the benefit of humanity.

• Intelligence without morality can destroy lives.

• Power must always be controlled with responsibility.

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Important Points for Exam

• Author: H. G. Wells

• Main Character: Griffin

• Theme: Misuse of science and power

• Setting: London and Iping village

• Griffin became invisible through scientific experiments.

• He used invisibility for theft and crime instead of helping society.